Shower switching faucet

Abstract

To provide a shower switching faucet which has good operational feeling while having durability, and prevents an increase in a full length without complicating its structure.SOLUTION: In order to switch shower water discharge and straight water discharge, when a water passage switching member 34 is relatively rotated to a connection member 33, a water passage is switched according to a rotation position. Since an unevenness engagement mechanism conducts engagement and disengagement, according to the rotation positions of the connection member 33 and the water passage switching member 34, it is easy to recognize switching of the shower water discharge and the straight water discharge by operational feeling of engagement and disengagement. Specifically, the unevenness engagement mechanism is constituted of a recess 33f1a formed on the inner peripheral surface of a plate spring part 33f1, and an engagement projection 34d formed on the water passage switching member 34.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a shower switching faucet that can switch between shower water spouting and straight water spouting. [Background technology]

[0002] A shower faucet that can switch between shower and straight water discharge switches between a straight water discharge flow path that passes through the center and a shower water discharge flow path that discharges water in a shower-like manner from around it by turning a knob or the like. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3729198 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2005-290872 [Patent Document 3] JIPP No. 63-076069 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The structure for switching flow paths that are subjected to tap water pressure (0.15 MPa or more) must be durable enough to withstand the frequent switching of discharge. Also, when operating the device, it can be difficult to clearly distinguish whether the water is being sprayed as a shower or straight stream. Furthermore, the shower spout sprays water in a shower-like pattern from around the straight spout that passes through the center, and while water can be sprayed evenly if the overall length is long, it becomes difficult to spray water evenly from all parts of the ring shape if the overall length is short.

[0005] Furthermore, shower faucets attached to the mixer of electrolytic hypochlorous acid water generators must operate at an internal pressure of 0.015 MPa or less, one-tenth the pressure of a tap. Furthermore, when increasing the concentration of electrolytic hypochlorous acid water discharged from 50 ppm to 100 ppm to 200 ppm, the flow rate decreases from 6 L / min to 3 L / min to 1.5 L / min. It is difficult to maintain the proper shape of the shower discharge at 1.5 L / min, and even at 3 L / min, it can become distorted.

[0006] Therefore, if the pressure loss in the internal pipes of the shower is large, the following problems arise. 1) The shower water flow becomes weaker. 2) In shower faucets for tap water, where the water from the shower heads merges with the water from the adjacent shower heads (hole spacing of 3 mm or less), shower holes of φ0.8 mm or less are often provided in a plate section with a thickness t of 2.5 mm or more (plate thickness / hole diameter ratio of 3 to 4). Reference 2 forms ribs around the shower holes, which has the effect of improving the linearity of water discharge. However, if the holes are long like this, and the faucet is used as a shower faucet for electrolyzed hypochlorous water for a long period of time, dirt will accumulate in the holes, making cleaning difficult.

[0007] For this reason, it is desirable that the thickness t of the plate portion where the electrolytic hypochlorous water shower discharge holes 35b1 (Figure 4) are provided is a thin plate, such as 1 mm, with large holes, such as a hole diameter of φ1.2 mm (plate thickness / hole diameter ratio of 1 or less). When the "plate thickness / hole diameter ratio" is 1 or less, the effect of improving the straightness of the shower water discharge is small, which can easily lead to problems such as water being deflected in the vertical direction. Additionally, due to the switching structure, the force of the shower water may weaken in some places, or the angle at which the water is sprayed may be bent.

[0008] Patent Document 3 describes a mechanism for switching between shower and straight water discharge, which is achieved by rotating a knob 90 degrees. The cylindrical interior of the switching valve 11 is divided into four compartments by partition walls, with shower compartments 15 and flux compartments 16 formed adjacent to each other and both compartments being fan-shaped. If shower compartments 15 are located on the left and right, if the water falls to the outside it will reach the circular plate with shower holes 5. The shower holes 5 are evenly spaced over the ring-shaped area, and while it is easy for water to be discharged from the shower holes on the left and right sides of the center because they are close together, for water to be discharged from the shower holes located above or below, the water must first flow left and right and then travel a long distance up or down, resulting in a large pressure loss.

[0009] Therefore, when the water pressure or water flow is low, the shower holes on the left and right will spray water, but the shower holes above and below will spray weaker water, creating a problem of imbalance. Currently, the mainstream structure is one in which a large-diameter circular plate (pressure reduction plate) is installed around the upper periphery of the switching valve 11, the flux section 16 is installed as a circular pipe, and the shower section 15 is omitted. (Most products on the market have a straight water discharge rectifier installed below the circular plate, and the shower water discharge surface is spaced about 10 mm from the pressure reduction plate.)

[0010] When the circular plate has circular pipes on the top (12 o'clock) and bottom (6 o'clock) of the plate for straight water discharge and a sealing ring, the water flows into the shower holes at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions. After hitting the circular plate, it flows horizontally to the outer edge and then falls vertically toward the shower holes. Flows to the left and right flow radially outward from the center, but flows to the top and bottom avoid the circular pipes' circular pipes and are corrected to flow tangentially toward the circumference before reaching the outer edge of the pressure reducing disk and descending from there. This results in a flow that falls at an angle and hits the shower holes. If the length of the shower holes is not long enough (less than 1.5 times the diameter), the angle of the diagonal changes slightly to the vertical as the water is discharged. Therefore, a water flow that falls into a shower hole at the 7 o'clock position will be discharged diagonally toward the 6 o'clock position, and a water flow that falls into a shower hole at the 5 o'clock position will also be discharged diagonally toward the 6 o'clock position. For this reason, the shower hole around 12 o'clock has a problem where the shower water on the left side of the center line and the shower water on the right side cross and collide as they fall. When the water pressure or flow is low, the shower holes on the left and right will spray water, but the shower holes above and below will also have a weaker water flow, which causes the problem of imbalance.

[0011] To provide a shower switching faucet which has little internal pressure loss, the force of shower water discharge is unlikely to be uneven depending on the location even when the water pressure or water flow is small, the shower water is easily discharged vertically without being bent even when the plate thickness where the shower hole is formed is thin, is easy to clean even if the hole is clogged, has durability, has a good operability, and does not have a complicated structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The present invention is a shower switching faucet that can switch between shower water spout and straight water spout, and has a cylindrical connecting member that forms a water channel, and a water channel switching member that is supported rotatably relative to the connecting member and switches the water channel depending on the rotational position, and the connecting member and the water channel switching member are configured to have a concave-convex engagement mechanism that can engage and disengage depending on the rotational position.

[0013] In the above configuration, when the water channel switching member is rotated relative to the connecting member to switch between shower and straight water spouts, the water channel is switched according to the rotation position. Furthermore, since the concave-convex engaging mechanism engages and disengages according to the rotation position of the connecting member and the water channel switching member, it is easy to recognize the switch between shower and straight water spouts by the operation feel of the engagement and disengagement.

[0014] In another aspect of the present invention, the connecting member is formed in an approximately cylindrical shape and has a flat bottom surface facing downward, with an opening formed in the bottom surface at a predetermined position around the axis, and the waterway switching member faces the flat bottom surface and has an O-ring arranged on the edge of the opening to form a communication port that can move in an arc when rotated, forming a first waterway that passes through the communication port when the communication port faces the opening, and forming a second waterway that does not pass through the communication port and leads to the outside of the axis when the communication port does not face the opening.

[0015] In another aspect of the present invention, the connecting member has an inclined surface formed on the edge of the opening for guiding the water flow to the opening. In another aspect of the present invention, the waterway switching member is configured to have an inclined surface at the portion facing the opening that guides the water flow outside the axis when the communication port does not face the opening. In another aspect of the present invention, the connecting member has an inclined surface formed on the edge of the opening for guiding the water flow to the opening.

[0016] In another aspect of the present invention, the connecting member protrudes cylindrically facing the waterway switching member, and the cylindrical portion has a narrow portion and a wide portion based on the axis, and the narrow portion is configured so that the length of its downward protrusion becomes shorter the further it goes upward. In another aspect of the present invention, the waterway switching member has a dome-shaped roof portion facing the flat bottom surface except for the area where the communication ports are formed, and the connecting member has a cylindrical portion protruding toward the dome-shaped roof portion, and the tip of the cylindrical portion is close to the dome-shaped roof portion in the middle of the area where the multiple communication ports are formed and is configured to be away from the dome-shaped roof portion in the part near the area where the multiple communication ports are formed. In another aspect of the present invention, the tip of the cylindrical portion of the connecting member is shortened by cutting a portion thereof close to where the plurality of communication ports are formed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] The shower switching faucet of the present invention has a connecting member and a water channel switching member stacked on top of each other, and when they are rotated relative to each other, the water channel can be switched to either the inside or outside of the water channel switching member.This makes it possible to provide a shower switching faucet that has a simple yet durable structure, does not have a complex structure, and makes it easy to recognize the switch between shower water flow and straight water flow through the feel of the engagement and disengagement operations. Furthermore, by overlapping the connecting member and waterway switching member and rotating them relative to one another, a shower water discharge is achieved, but by making the waterway switching member conical (like Mount Fuji) with a trapezoidal cross section (rather than a disk), the water flow from the connecting member hits the conical slope of the waterway switching member and is bent at an angle (45°), reducing pressure loss. Because the flow toward the outermost edge of the switching member is not horizontal, the angle at which it bends vertically from the outer edge is also 45°, not a right angle.

[0018] As the water flows down the conical slope of the switching member to the outermost edge, a vertical falling component is combined with a lateral flow component in the rotational direction, improving the water flow falling from the outer edge of the conical slope to a more vertical flow, and the angle of incidence of the flow entering the shower holes to approach a right angle.This allows for a more vertical shower discharge even with a thin shower plate (thickness t = 1 mm) and improves the ease of cleaning the shower holes. Furthermore, good shower water discharge can be achieved even under conditions of low water discharge pressure (0.01 MPa or less) and low flow rate (3 L / min or less). [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall perspective view of a shower switching faucet to which the present invention is applied; [Figure 2] This is an assembly parts diagram of the water discharge mechanism of a shower switching faucet. [Figure 3] This is an assembly parts diagram of the water discharge mechanism of a shower switching faucet. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a shower switching faucet. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the connecting member as seen from below. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 shows a conical helix of a screw. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the shower switching mechanism. [Figure 10] This shows a vector diagram of light passing through the surface of water. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an overall perspective view of a shower switching faucet to which the present invention is applied, and FIGS. 2 and 3 show assembly parts diagrams of the water discharge mechanism of the shower switching faucet. The shower switching faucet 10 to which the present invention is applied comprises a mixer body 20 that houses a cartridge and switching pipes (not shown), and a shower switching mechanism 30 that is detachable from the mixer body 20. The shower switching mechanism 30 comprises a fixing member 31 connected to the upstream side of the water channel, a switching ring 32, a connecting member 33, a water channel switching member 34, and a water discharge cap 35. The switching ring 32, connecting member 33, water channel switching member 34, and water discharge cap 35 constitute a switching mechanism 36 that switches between shower water discharge and straight water discharge. The switching ring 32 and water discharge cap 35 together form a faucet section that houses the connecting member 33 and water channel switching member 34. The shower switching mechanism 30 and switching mechanism 36 to which the present invention is applied may be attached directly to a water faucet, or may be attached to the bottom of a mixer or water purifier attached to a water faucet.

[0021] The switching mechanism 36 is formed by sequentially placing the water channel switching member 34 and the connecting member 33 on the upward-opening water discharge cap 35, then placing the roughly ring-shaped switching ring 32 over them, and screwing and fixing the switching ring 32 and the water discharge cap 35 together. In this integrated state, the switching ring 32, the water channel switching member 34, and the water discharge cap 35 are immobile, while the connecting member 33 is rotatable relative to them within a range of approximately 90 degrees. The fixing member 31 is fixed to the mixer body 20, and the connecting member 33 is detachably fixed to this fixing member 31. As a result, the switching ring 32, the water channel switching member 34, and the water discharge cap 35 are held rotatable within a range of 90 degrees relative to the mixer body 20.

[0022] In this way, the fixing member 31 can be detachably connected at its upper end to the underside of the mixer body 20, and can be detachably connected at its lower end to the switching mechanism 36. Furthermore, the connecting member 33 can be detachably attached to the fixing member 31 so as to be watertight, and when attached, the entire switching mechanism 36 is supported by the fixing member 31 via the connecting member 33. As will be described later, several O-rings are attached at necessary locations to ensure a watertight state.

[0023] FIG. 4 shows a partially cutaway perspective view of the shower switching faucet, FIG. 5 shows an assembled perspective view of the switching mechanism, and FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the connecting member as seen from below. The spout cap 35, which is part of the faucet, has an opening in the center for straight water spouting. A cylindrical body 35a is formed in the opening. A ring-shaped portion 35b around the cylindrical body 35a has many small holes 35b1 formed in it for shower water spouting. A water channel switching member 34 is placed so as to cover the cylindrical body 35a from above, and a connecting member 33 is placed on top of that. When the connecting member 33 and the water channel switching member 34 rotate relative to each other, the water channel is switched.

[0024] The connecting member 33 is connected to the fixed member 31 to form a waterway. The connecting member 33 is formed in a roughly cylindrical shape and has a flat bottom surface 33e facing downward. An opening 33e1 is formed in the bottom surface 33e at a predetermined position around the axis. In this embodiment, the openings 33e1, 33e1 are formed at two locations symmetrically around the axis. In addition, the bottom surface 33e is formed with a gourd-shaped recess 33e2 that is constricted so as to surround the two openings 33e1, 33e1. The outer periphery of the gourd shape forms an arc surface, allowing the outer edges of the two openings 33e1, 33e1 to move along it. Furthermore, because the constriction is formed, the outer edges of the two openings 33e1, 33e1 abut against the constriction, preventing further rotation. In this embodiment, the two openings 33e1, 33e1 can rotate within a range of approximately 90 degrees.

[0025] In addition, an inclined surface 33e3 is formed between the two openings 33e1 to facilitate guiding water into the openings 33e1. The inclined surface 33e3 is formed on the peripheral edge of the openings 33e1. If there is sufficient space, it may be formed around the entire circumference. If there is not enough space, it may be formed at least between the openings 33e1. The inclined surface 33e3 increases the cross-sectional area of ​​the branch pipe and bends the vertically falling water flow obliquely (approximately 45°). As the water passes through the openings 33e1, 33e1, it is guided from the center to the outside. The angle of incidence at which the water hits the waterway switching member 34 is also oblique (approximately 45°), facilitating a smooth flow onto the conical slope.

[0026] The waterway switching member 34 has a dome-shaped roof portion 34a facing the bottom surface 33e of the connecting member 33, and has a communication port 34b formed at the opening edge with an O-ring 34b1 disposed thereon, which is movable in an arc when rotated. In this embodiment, the communication ports 34b, 34b are formed at two symmetrical positions around the axis. The term "dome-shaped" refers to a shape that is roughly circular in plan view and gradually decreases in diameter toward the top. The cross section does not have to be an arc, and it can have some linear portions. For example, the cross section can be trapezoidal.

[0027] The positions of the communication ports 34b, 34b and the openings 33e1, 33e1 create a state in which the communication ports 34b, 34b face the openings 33e1, 33e1 and a state in which the communication ports 34b, 34b do not face the openings 33e1, 33e1, depending on the relative rotation angle (rotational position) between the connecting member 33 and the water channel switching member 34. When the communication ports 34b, 34b face the openings 33e1, 33e1, a first water channel is formed, and when the communication ports 34b, 34b do not face the openings 33e1, 33e1, a second water channel leading from the dome-shaped roof portion 34a to the outer edge portion is formed.

[0028] O-rings 34b1, 34b1 are attached so as to surround the openings of the communication ports 34b, 34b, and the O-rings 34b1, 34b1 are able to move in close contact with the flat bottom surface 33e of the connecting member 33. Therefore, when forming the first water channel and when forming the second water channel, flow paths that communicate with each other are not formed.

[0029] Since the two communication ports 34b, 34b are arranged symmetrically around the axis, when viewed from above, they form an eight shape, with a narrowed portion. Furthermore, outer wall portions 34b1a, 34b1a are formed to surround the O-rings 34b1 from the outside in order to support them, and both outer wall portions 34b1a, 34b1a are generally shaped like an "eight." The gourd-shaped, narrowed recess 33e2 is formed to surround the range of movement of these "eight" shaped outer wall portions 34b1a, 34b1a. Because the outer walls 34b1a, 34b1a are surrounded by the gourd-shaped recess 33e2, they can only rotate within a range of approximately 90 degrees. That is, the connecting member 33 and the water channel switching member 34 can only rotate relatively within a range of approximately 90 degrees from the state where the first water channel is formed to the state where the second water channel is formed. When the communication ports 34b, 34b do not face the openings 33e1, 33e1, the water flowing through the openings 33e1, 33e1 faces this constricted portion. For this reason, the waterway switching member 34 is formed with an inclined surface 34a1 that guides the water flow outward from the axis at the portion facing the openings 33e1, 33e1 when the communication ports 34b, 34b do not face the openings 33e1, 33e1.

[0030] The connecting member 33 is placed on the waterway switching member 34. The waterway switching member 34 contacts the connecting member 33 at the openings of the communication ports 34b, 34b that face the bottom surface 33e of the connecting member 33. The connecting member 33 is also formed with an engaging cylindrical portion 33f that extends downward from the outer periphery of the bottom surface 33e, and an engaging protrusion 34d is formed at a predetermined position on the edge of the waterway switching member 34 that faces the engaging cylindrical portion 33f.

[0031] The engaging cylindrical portion 33f extends downward from the connecting member 33. Although the cylindrical portion 33f is continuous in the circumferential direction, it is not connected to the connecting member 33 along its entire circumference. The unconnected portion is supported by the portions that connect both ends and functions as a leaf spring portion 33f1. Furthermore, a recess 33f1a is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the leaf spring portion 33f1. The engaging protrusion 34d of the waterway switching member 34 faces the inner circumferential surface of the engaging cylindrical portion 33f, and when the waterway switching member 34 and the connecting member 33 rotate relative to each other, the engaging protrusion 34d slides against the inner circumferential surface of the engaging cylindrical portion 33f. When the engaging protrusion 34d and the recess 33f1a face each other, they engage with each other. Although they are engaged, because the recess 33f1a is formed in the leaf spring portion 33f1, further rotation easily releases the engagement. At this time, the operator rotates the waterway switching member 34 and the connecting member 33 relative to each other, and can feel a moderate clicking sensation when they move in and engage, and when they move out and release.

[0032] In this way, a concave-convex engagement mechanism that can engage and disengage depending on the rotational position is formed on the connecting member 33 and the waterway switching member 34. Specifically, the concave-convex engagement mechanism is made up of a recess 33f1a formed on the inner circumferential surface of the leaf spring portion 33f1 and an engagement protrusion 34d formed on the waterway switching member 34.

[0033] The engaging cylindrical portion 33f of the connecting member 33 protrudes cylindrically facing the waterway switching member 34. This engaging cylindrical portion 33f is roughly circular, but protrudes from the periphery of the recessed portion 33e2 and, like the recessed portion 33e2, is gourd-shaped, forming a narrowed portion 33f2. This narrowed portion 33f2 is cut diagonally outward as it extends downward. The upper portion abuts against the periphery of the communication ports 34b, 34b formed in the waterway switching member 34, thereby limiting the range of rotation, but it does not need to extend all the way to the lower portion.

[0034] A narrowed portion 33f2 is formed in the engaging cylindrical portion 33f, and the lower end of this narrowed portion 33f2 is cut diagonally outward as it goes downward. This means that the cylindrical engaging cylindrical portion 33f has narrow and wide portions based on the axis, and the length of the narrowed portion 33f2 that protrudes downward becomes shorter the further it goes upward.

[0035] When the communication openings 34b, 34b do not face the openings 33e1, 33e1, a waterway is formed from the openings 33e1, 33e1 toward the dome-shaped roof portion 34a. At this time, a certain water pressure is applied, and in a narrow space, water tends to flow more toward the area with lower pressure. This also creates a water flow approaching the position of the constricted portion 33f2. Here, the constricted portion 33f2 protrudes downward less the further upward, forming a surface that is evenly spaced from the conical side surface of the waterway switching member 34. Therefore, for water flowing toward the position of the constricted portion 33f2, an appropriate spatial distance is formed as a flow path both above and below the constricted portion 33f2. As a result, water flow can be guided to the area below the constricted portion 33f2 without being obstructed.

[0036] Four leaf spring portions 33f1 are formed on the tip side of the engaging cylindrical portion 33f of the connecting member 33. The engaging cylindrical portion 33f is connected to the connecting member 33 between each of the leaf spring portions 33f1, and a pair of connecting portions that face each other are constricted portions 33f2, 33f2. The other pair of connecting portions 33f3, 33f3 are not constricted and have a shape that describes an arc similar to that of the leaf spring portion 33f1. However, the lower tips of the connecting portions 33f3, 33f3 are shorter than the leaf spring portion 33f1. As such, the lower tip of the engaging cylindrical portion 33f has long and short portions.

[0037] The lower tip of the engaging tube portion 33f faces the base of the dome-shaped roof portion 34a of the water channel switching member 34. When the communication ports 34b, 34b do not face the openings 33e1, 33e1, a water channel is formed from the openings 33e1, 33e1 toward the dome-shaped roof portion 34a, but when the water hits the inclined surface 34a1, it tends to flow straight down along the dome-shaped roof portion 34a. In other words, it tends to flow through the middle of the nearly semicircular dome-shaped roof portion 34a that occupies the space between the communication ports 34b, 34b, and does not spread out toward the side closer to the communication ports 34b, 34b.

[0038] On the other hand, when the waterway switching member 34 and the connecting member 33 are rotated relative to each other so that the communication ports 34b, 34b do not face the openings 33e1, 33e1, the long portion of the lower tip of the engaging cylindrical portion 33f is located in the middle of the dome-shaped roof portion 34a, and the short portion of the lower tip of the engaging cylindrical portion 33f is mainly located at the position where the communication ports 34b, 34b are formed.

[0039] Figure 7 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the switching mechanism, with the arrows indicating the flow rate. The longer tip of the engaging tube portion 33f is closer to the dome-shaped roof portion 34a, resulting in a smaller gap. However, the shorter tip of the engaging tube portion 33f is farther from the dome-shaped roof portion 34a, resulting in a larger gap between the portion where the communication openings 34b are formed. The smaller gap restricts the flow of water, while the larger gap allows water to flow more easily. Therefore, when a waterway is formed from the openings 33e1 toward the dome-shaped roof portion 34a, the water flow can be adjusted by adjusting the size of the gap between the tip of the engaging tube portion 33f and the dome-shaped roof portion 34a. Furthermore, when this embodiment is used, the water flow can be guided not only to the middle of the semicircular dome-shaped roof portion 34a, which occupies the space between the communication openings 34b, but also to the sides near the communication openings 34b at both ends.

[0040] In this way, connecting member 33 has engaging cylindrical portion 33f as a cylindrical portion that protrudes toward dome-shaped roof portion 34a, and the tip of engaging cylindrical portion 33f is close to dome-shaped roof portion 34a in the middle of the area where multiple communication ports 34b, 34b are formed, and is farther away from dome-shaped roof portion 34a in the area close to the area where multiple communication ports 34b, 34b are formed, thereby changing the size of the gap and creating a roughly uniform water flow all around the water channel switching member 34. As a result, when shower water spouting is selected, a shower flows out evenly from all around. In the middle section, water pressure is normally strong and flows easily, but because the tip of the engaging tube section 33f is close to the dome-shaped roof section 34a, the gap is small, and ultimately the amount of water that flows out can be reduced. On the other hand, in the section near the formation of the multiple communication ports 34b, 34b, water pressure would normally be low, but the bottom end face of the engaging tube section 33f is partially cut out in four places. Therefore, at these four places, water can flow from the inside to the outside before it reaches the bottom end of the engaging tube section 33f. Therefore, the water that cannot escape through the gaps in the middle section will flow around the areas where the multiple communication ports 34b are formed, and the amount of water that ultimately flows out can be increased. As a result, the flow rate can be adjusted so that it is as uniform as possible around the entire circumference.

[0041] In this embodiment, the tip of the engaging cylindrical portion 33f serving as the cylindrical portion of the connecting member 33 is shortened by cutting a portion close to the formation portion of the plurality of communication ports 34b, 34b, thereby changing the size of the gap.

[0042] In the structure of the present invention, the water flows downward along the dome-shaped roof portion 34a and toward the side closer to the communication ports 34b, 34b. Below, we will explain the case where a conventional large-diameter circular flat plate (pressure reduction plate) is used without using such a roof portion 34a. Figure 8 shows the conical spiral of the screw. The direction of the water flow around the communication openings 34b, 34b is similar to that of a conical spiral, with a tangential component combined with a vertical component, resulting in a downward diagonal flow with a lead angle β. After reaching the outer edge, the downward flow continues at an oblique angle toward the shower outlet 35b1. Figure 10 shows a vector diagram of light passing through the water surface.

[0043] In the case of shower discharge hole 35b1 shown in Figure 9, when a water flow hits hole 35b1 at an incident angle θ1, passes through it, and is discharged at a refraction angle θ2, as in Figure 10, this structure allows angle θ1 to be smaller than in the past. That is, because the water flows inclined by lead angle β down inclined surface 34a1 and then falls, the incident angle can be smaller than in the past. Even when the ratio of plate thickness to hole diameter of hole 35b1 is large and it is difficult to reduce refraction angle θ2, it is possible to achieve shower water discharge in a more vertical direction. In the conventional structure, the waterway switching member 34 is replaced with a flat disk. Of course, there is no dome-shaped roof portion 34a, no base portion, and no inclined surface 34a1.

[0044] When the water hits the disc, it turns at a right angle and spreads horizontally across the nearly semicircular surface between the openings 34b. The water flowing toward the openings 34b flows around the openings 34b. The direction of the water flow is corrected to a circumferential tangential direction rather than a radial direction from the center outward. This is a horizontal spiral flow like a mosquito coil, and the lead angle β of the conical spiral in Figure 8 is zero. After that, the water flow reaches the outer edge of the disc and starts to descend, but although the tangential flow momentum remains, the vertical downward component is small. As a result, as shown in Figure 10, the incident angle θ1 of the water flow when it hits the shower spout hole 35b1 becomes large.

[0045] If the outer diameter of the shower faucet is over 50 mm, it is possible to eliminate uneven water flow toward the shower holes by expanding the pressure reducing plate to the outside of the communication ports 34b, 34b, eliminating gaps around the outer edge of the disc, and providing water flow holes at equal intervals on the disc. However, if the outer diameter of the shower faucet is 40 mm or less, this measure is difficult to implement and also increases pressure loss. In the case of a shower faucet for electrolyzed hypochlorous water, providing a through hole is not a desirable structure because it will allow dirt to accumulate.

[0046] It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The mutually replaceable components and configurations disclosed in the above embodiments may be appropriately changed and applied. Although not disclosed in the above embodiments, members and configurations that are publicly known and can be mutually substituted for the members and configurations disclosed in the above embodiments may be appropriately substituted, and their combinations may be changed and applied. Although not disclosed in the above embodiments, members and configurations may be substituted by those skilled in the art based on publicly known techniques as substitutes for the members and configurations disclosed in the above embodiments, and the combinations may be changed and applied. is disclosed as an embodiment of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 10...Shower switching faucet, 20...Mixer body, 30...Shower switching mechanism, 31...Fixing member, 32...Switching ring, 33...Connecting member, 33e...Bottom surface, 33e1...Opening, 33e2...Recess, 33e3...Inclined surface, 33f...Engaging cylindrical portion, 33f1...Leaf spring portion, 33f1a...Recess, 33f2...Narrowed portion, 33f3...Connection portion, 34...Waterway switching member, 34a...Roof portion, 34a1...Inclined surface, 34b...Communicating port, 34b1...O-ring, 34d...Engaging protrusion, 35...Water outlet cap, 35a...Cylinder, 35b...Ring-shaped portion, 35b1...Hole, 36...Switching mechanism.

Claims

1. A shower switching faucet that can switch between shower spout and straight spout, A cylindrical connecting member that forms a waterway; a water channel switching member that is rotatably supported relative to the connecting member and switches the water channel according to a rotation position, A shower switching faucet characterized in that the connecting member and the waterway switching member are formed with a concave-convex engagement mechanism that can engage and disengage depending on the rotational position.

2. the connecting member is formed in a generally cylindrical shape and has a flat bottom surface facing downward, and an opening is formed in the bottom surface at a predetermined position around the axis; The waterway switching member faces the flat bottom surface, and has an O-ring disposed on the opening edge to form a communication port that can move in an arc when rotated. A shower switching faucet as described in claim 1, characterized in that when the communication port faces the opening, it forms a first water passage that passes through the communication port, and when the communication port does not face the opening, it forms a second water passage that does not pass through the communication port but leads to the outside of the axis.

3. The shower switching faucet according to claim 2, wherein the connecting member has an inclined surface formed on the edge of the opening to guide the water flow into the opening.

4. The shower diverter faucet according to claim 2, characterized in that the water channel diverter has an inclined surface at the portion facing the opening that guides the water flow outside the axis when the communication port does not face the opening.

5. The shower diverter faucet described in claim 2, characterized in that the connecting member protrudes cylindrically facing the waterway diverter member, and the cylindrical portion has a narrow portion and a wide portion based on the axis, and the length of the narrow portion that protrudes downward becomes shorter the further it goes upward.

6. The waterway switching member has a dome-shaped roof portion facing the flat bottom surface except for the portion where the communication port is formed, The shower diverter faucet described in claim 2 or claim 3, characterized in that the connecting member has a cylindrical portion that protrudes toward the dome-shaped roof portion, and the tip of the cylindrical portion is close to the dome-shaped roof portion in the middle of the area where the multiple communication holes are formed, and is far from the dome-shaped roof portion in the part near the area where the multiple communication holes are formed.

7. 7. The shower switching faucet according to claim 6, wherein the tip of the cylindrical portion of the connecting member is shortened by cutting a portion thereof close to where the plurality of communication ports are formed.

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